Bhutan is the last independent Vajrayana Buddhist kingdom, a land where faith is not kept behind glass but lived every day — in the butter lamps glowing in village temples, the prayer flags on every mountain pass, and the elders circling chortens with prayer wheels in hand. This pilgrimage follows the path of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century: from the sacred temples of Thimphu and Punakha, into Bumthang, the spiritual heartland of the Kingdom, and finally to Taktsang, the cliffside cave where he meditated. Throughout, you are accompanied by a private Ultra Dewa guide and driver, with each day paced for devotion rather than sightseeing.
Land in the Paro Valley, where your private Ultra Dewa guide and driver welcome you with a traditional white khadar scarf before the scenic drive to Thimphu.
A temple and iron-chain bridge built by the 14th-century saint Thangtong Gyalpo. Crossing his bridge is an auspicious first step on your pilgrimage.
A 51.5-metre golden statue of Buddha Shakyamuni housing over 125,000 smaller Buddha statues. Make your first offering and prostrations in the shrine hall.
Join local devotees for the evening kora, turning the great prayer wheels as Thimphu's elders do every day.
Bhutan's oldest surviving dzong, built in 1629 by the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who unified Bhutan.
A 12th-century hilltop temple dedicated to Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. You may receive a blessing from the resident monk.
Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee is already built into your journey — there's nothing further to arrange on arrival beyond your visa clearance, which Ultra Dewa handles in advance.
Cross the sacred Dochula Pass before descending into the warm, fertile Punakha Valley, Bhutan's ancient capital.
At 3,100 metres, walk among the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens and hang your own blessed prayer flags in a ceremony led by your guide.
Built in 1499 in honour of Drukpa Kunley, the "Divine Madman." Reached on foot through rice fields, visited by couples seeking blessings for children.
One of Bhutan's most magnificent fortresses, winter residence of the Je Khenpo, enshrining the Rangjung Kharsapani and the mortal remains of the Zhabdrung.
Join the nuns for afternoon prayers and make a meal or dana offering — a quiet act of merit, subject to the nunnery's schedule.
Please dress modestly at all temples and dzongs — long sleeves, long trousers or skirts, no hats. Always walk clockwise around chortens and prayer wheels; photography is not permitted inside shrine rooms.
Head east over the Pele La pass into central Bhutan, following the ancient route of pilgrims and traders toward Bumthang.
At 3,420 metres, pause to offer a short prayer for safe passage, as Bhutanese travellers have done for centuries.
A Nepali-style stupa modelled on Kathmandu's Boudhanath, built to subdue a malevolent spirit. Circumambulate three times clockwise for its blessings.
Bhutan's largest dzong, founded in 1543, housing some two dozen temples and a large community of monks.
When the monastic schedule allows, sit quietly as the monks gather for evening chanting, drums and horns echoing across the gorge.
Cross the Yotong La pass into Bumthang — Bhutan's spiritual heartland, where Guru Rinpoche meditated and many of the Kingdom's most sacred temples were founded.
One of Bhutan's oldest temples, said to date to the 7th century, dedicated to Jampa (Maitreya), the Future Buddha.
One of the most sacred sites in Bhutan, where Guru Rinpoche left the imprint of his body in the rock. The courtyard cypress is said to have grown from his walking stick.
A Nyingma monastery founded in 1501, renowned for its murals. Pilgrims carry a heavy chain-mail vest three times around the inner sanctum to purify negative karma.
In the evening, light 1,000 butter lamps at one of Bumthang's sacred temples, dedicating the merit to your family and all sentient beings.
A full day of reflection in the Bumthang valley, visiting sacred sites of the treasure-revealer Pema Lingpa and the great master Longchenpa.
Pilgrims light butter lamps at the water's edge where Pema Lingpa is said to have emerged from the lake holding sacred treasures, his lamp still burning.
One of the highest monasteries in Bhutan at roughly 3,600 metres, founded by Longchen Rabjam, with sweeping views across the Chokhor Valley.
Spend the afternoon in guided meditation with a monk or lama, followed by a short teaching on Bhutanese Buddhism, subject to availability.
Journey back west over the Yotong La and Pele La passes into Gangtey, arriving at the wide, glacial Phobjikha Valley.
The largest Nyingma monastery in western Bhutan, founded in 1613. Join the monks for evening prayers and receive blessings in the main temple.
Local devotees believe the endangered black-necked cranes circle Gangtey Goenpa on arrival each winter, honoured in Bhutanese folklore as heavenly birds.
A gentle morning walk before the final leg of the journey west to Paro.
A peaceful hour-and-a-half walk through blue pine forest and open meadow, practised in silence as a walking meditation with the monastery's prayer flags in view.
A vegetarian lunch at a traditional farmhouse, with a visit to the family's choesham (household shrine room), the heart of every Bhutanese home.
A full day dedicated to the sacred temples of the Paro Valley, where Buddhism first took root in Bhutan.
One of Bhutan's oldest and holiest temples, built in the 7th century. You may sponsor a prayer ceremony by the monks for the wellbeing of your family.
A rare chorten-shaped temple built in 1433 by Thangtong Gyalpo, its three floors representing hell, earth and heaven.
A 17th-century fortress-monastery — "Fortress on a Heap of Jewels" — whose courtyard hosts the Paro Tshechu each spring.
The unforgettable hike to Taktsang Monastery, perched roughly 900 metres above the Paro Valley floor.
Bhutan's most sacred pilgrimage site, marking the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated for three years, three months, three weeks and three days. Offer butter lamps and recite the Vajra Guru mantra.
Soothe tired muscles after the hike in a bath heated with river stones and local herbs.
A final evening of traditional folk dances and the sacred Cham mask dance, with a curated Ultra Dewa gift bag.
The round trip covers roughly 8km with 500–600m of elevation gain, reaching 3,120m. Allow 4–6 hours including time inside. Mules can be arranged as far as the halfway viewpoint for those who prefer not to walk the full ascent.
After breakfast and a final morning prayer, your private guide and driver transfer you to Paro International Airport for your onward journey, carrying the blessings of the Kingdom home with you.
All accommodation is based on double room unless otherwise requested.
No. While this journey follows the path of Guru Rinpoche and includes genuine acts of devotion, it is open to travellers of any faith or none. Many guests join simply to understand Bhutan's living Buddhist culture more deeply, and you're welcome to participate in ceremonies as much or as little as feels right for you.
Bhutan's only international gateway is Paro International Airport, served by Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) and Bhutan Airlines from hubs including Delhi, Kathmandu, Bangkok, and Singapore. A visa is required for most nationalities and is arranged on your behalf as part of this journey.
Yes — this is a fully private journey, so there is no minimum number of travellers required. Whether you're travelling solo, as a couple, or as a larger group, your itinerary, pace, and vehicle are arranged around you alone.
The pace is contemplative rather than strenuous, with several full driving days between Trongsa and Bumthang. The one physically demanding section is the hike to Taktsang on Day 9 — roughly 8 kilometres round trip with 500–600 metres of elevation gain, taking 4–6 hours. Mules can be arranged as far as the halfway viewpoint for those who prefer not to walk the full ascent.
Yes — this journey can be arranged with a Mandarin-speaking guide on request, subject to availability, alongside our standard English-speaking guides. Let your travel designer know your preference when planning your journey.
Yes. Vegetarian meals are available throughout, and Buddhist vegetarian meals (prepared without onion or garlic) can be arranged on request to suit a more traditional pilgrimage diet.
International airfare, travel insurance (mandatory), personal expenses, alcoholic and premium beverages, and tips for your guide and driver are not included.
Tell us your dates, and we'll shape this journey around you.
Enquire About This Journey